CONAKRY, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Guinea's former ruling party, the Party of Unity and Progress (PUP), is warming up ahead of the post- coup elections in June, according to party officials.

A popular meeting was held over the weekend at the headquarters of PUP by its members and supporters. The party had ruled the West African country for years before the military took over power on Dec. 23, 2008, hours after the death of president and PUP leader Lansana Conte.

Parties officials said on Monday that it was a grassroot warm- up in preparations for the party's congress before the presidential elections months away.

Under a decree signed on Sunday by the interim president of transition, Gen. Sekouba Konate,Guinea is to hold the first round of the presidential elections on June 27.

The PUP meeting was attended by the party's Secretary General Sekou Konate, former speaker of the National Assembly Aboubacar Sompare and the members of the political bureau.

In his speech, the former National Assembly speaker asked the members of the party to renew their strength and work in line with the wishes of the late president Conte.

Sompare told the party meeting that PUP should once again prove its power through unity and cohesion among members.

"We should not allow politicians and other Guineans who have looted from our country to have the power to determine the destiny of our nation," Sompare declared